October 24, 2019

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How Patients Benefit From Virtual Reality Simulated Training

Virtual reality simulated training provides a virtual environment1 where surgeons can practice techniques. Medical professionals use virtual reality to perform training and demonstrations and plan operations in a risk-free space. This technology also benefits patients directly and indirectly. Learn how virtual reality training for surgeons offers multiple advantages to patients.

New Innovations Through Virtual Reality Training for Surgeons

The virtual reality space gives medical professionals a place to test new techniques2 while using minimal physical resources. Surgeons can repeat the same procedures as many times as they like to further develop their skills.

Since virtual reality doesn’t involve a patient or cadaver, the user can experiment with techniques without worry of harm. Virtual reality simulations offer risk-free operating environments for exploring new tools and procedures.

Virtual Reality Simulated Training Benefits Accuracy and Performance

Research demonstrates that virtual reality can improve surgical performance by as much as 230 percent3. As a result, patients benefit from better procedure results. These factors could contribute to more accurate surgeries through virtual reality training:

Preoperative planning: Surgeons can use virtual reality to more effectively plan for complicated procedures in advance.

Increased training opportunities: Residents get more opportunities to practice surgery through virtual reality because it uses few physical resources.

Save Time With Virtual Reality Simulated Training

A study also suggests that virtual reality simulation training can increase operation speed by as much as 20 percent3. When a doctor performs an operation faster, they can keep a patient under anesthesia for a shorter time. Reduced time under anesthesia provides benefits such as4:

Shortened recovery time: Research indicates that prolonged anesthesia use can put a patient at risk of an increased length of stay. With a shorter time under anesthesia, patients can recover faster.

Fewer days in the hospital: A shorter time in recovery often results in fewer days required in the hospital. As a result, patients have more time to spend with friends and family as they recover.

Reduced complications: Shorter anesthesia durations also seem to result in a lower risk of complications after surgery. With fewer complications, the patient can spend more time outside of the operating room.

Potential Cost Savings Passed Down Through Virtual Reality Training

Hospitals lower their long-term costs through virtual reality training, and those savings are potentially passed on to the patient. Virtual reality training reduces the hospital’s need for practice cadavers, which cost thousands of dollars each5. With a virtual reality simulation, the user has the ability to repeat a specific step or a surgery limitless times, whereas this is not possible with a cadaver.